Chapter 4

"Stand!" The sharp command shot me to my feet as I glance to notice Lupin who was also standing now too.

"Get back on the floor Demon!" I hear him growl next, signalling for Lupin to get back down as I remained on my feet- my knees now wobbling in terror.

Demon. He said it too!

I heard Lupin shuffle back down onto the floor as I kept my gaze on my scratched and bruised bare feet. I've been so emotionally challenged over the past 24 hours that the pain hasn't fully sunk in yet.

By the looks of my swollen ankles and blood stained feet, the injuries would take days or even weeks to heal (that's if I managed to rest them and get some proper treatment which I highly doubted I would).

The only thing close to medical treatment that I ever received was a quick visit to my school nurse. I would lie about the huge cuts and bruises covering my body by explaining that I got them from gym class - my father of course being the real culprit but she treated them and sent me on my way nonetheless.

My hands began to tremble again as I realised another few moments of silence had now passed - the king still seated comfortably on the chair opposite me.

For some reason having me stand before him whilst he remained seated felt extremely degrading. I felt like an object on display for the second time today.

"Come here." He then states, not as aggressively as the first command... but still enough to send a fearful chill up my spine.

I shuffle my feet towards him with my head still low before stopping once I see his black sneakers come into view.

For being in another world and all, his fashion seemed pretty up to date and normal? I mean I'm no fashionista but the shoes were really fresh and trendy.

I always did envy the popular girls at school whose parents worked out of town a lot and consistently brought them back the newest sneakers, clothes and accessories - stuff our small town didn't sell and even if they did... I couldn't afford.

I on the other hand, managed to scrape some decent styles together from the local charity stores whenever I saved up enough money from my weekend job.

I missed that job but my father managed to ruin that too...

I wasn't sure at this point what to do so I just continued to admire the mans footwear in front of me.

I couldn't help but hope that he wasn't also staring down at my feet with the current state that they were in. I mean if he was a real king that would be a pretty shit first impression... I looked homeless. Although, living back with my father was barely a home too so maybe I've always been somewhat homeless? Does sleeping in a tiny cold room on a dirty old mattress on the floor count for anything?

My thoughts finally came to a halt as I heard the creaking of leather as the man before me now stood from the chair...

The top of my head reached only to his chest as he towered completely over me. His strong scent of cologne hit my nostrils almost causing me to relax slightly at how amazing he smelled before I realised what was happening and quickly became scared again.

"You're quite a little human aren't you...?" He whispers slowly, leaning down towards my neck.

I freeze, holding my breath not understanding what was going on as he takes a large inhale, causing me to shudder as his nose barely touches my neck.

"I believe you are my mate." He whispers again, causing me to stiffen at his tone. A what?

Despite the fact that I was absolutely terrified, I felt intrigued at the same time.

What does he mean that I am his mate? What the heck is a mate?

Before I could register what was happening, his large arm pushed me to the side (not enough to make me fall over but enough to move me effortlessly out of his way) as he now moved towards Lupin - still kneeling by the door.

"Get up!" He demanded, as I tilted my head slightly seeing Lupin scramble to his feet.

"She is mine. I will be taking her with me today without completing the paperwork as I don't have the time. In return for her I will offer you and your family a nice home at my kingdom and enough money to make your life comfortable. Is that a deal?" The King grumbles, making me relax a little hearing what sounds like a decent offer for Lupin...

My brain seems to forget that I am being somewhat sold to this man? But like I said, Lupin saved me and explained to me that he needed this money for his family and if that means that I have to go with this man for the sake of his wife and son then so be it...

He saved me from my father and at this point anywhere is better than back home.

"Yes sir that is very generous of you I can't thank you enough!" Lupin thanks him briefly as I see him smile widely for the first time since meeting him, before he moves to exit the room.

I might never see him again now.

I now understood fully that this man was clearly a powerful figure around here and without a doubt he could end my life within seconds if I upset him.

I had to remember what Lupin said... "Make sure you do whatever they want you to do and just hope that you got a good one..."

I still didn't get the last part though?

"Look at me." The man suddenly speaks, causing me to jump when realising he had now moved to stand right in front of me again.

I slowly lift my head, my eyes connecting with his own for the very first time and it's too late to stop the small gasp that manages to escape my lips.

His piercing green eyes stared deep into mine, drawing me towards the stranger in an unnatural way.

I couldn't break my gaze from his, it felt like he had me in some sort of trance as he stared back down into my boring brown orbs.

His eyes were simply beautiful. There was no other word that suited. They were breathtakingly beautiful.

I then felt his fingers grip my chin before he shook my head from side to side slowly - taunting me as he smirked.

"Are you done drooling over my eyes?" He questions, shaking me out of my thoughts as I divert my gaze in response, my cheeks heating up from the sheer embarrassment.

"You don't understand any of this do you?" He shortly laughs out, his fingers still grasping my chin as I shake my head feeling more embarrassed.

"Maybe if you behave I'll explain it to you." He laughs again - more to himself - before grabbing the scruff of my top and guiding me out of the room.

As we exit the room I see many large men lining the once empty halls all dressed in dark clothing which causes me to become increasingly nervous again.

I preferred it when it was only me and Lupin and the halls were quiet.

I look up at all of the men as I pass by, noticing that none of them will look back at me, they all remain stone cold and emotionless as they just stare on straight ahead.

We exit through the same way that I had originally came in to the building, passing the guard with the colour changing eyes as he bids farewell to his so called King only to receive a grumble in return.

As we walk back through the small village, the place seems slightly brighter than what it was when I had first got here meaning that it was probably mid day now.

As we pass through the streets I notice that everyone seems to cower away and hide as we approach them which causes me to feel bad. This man must have a reputation...

I stumble through the village, still held by the scruff of my top before moments later stopping in what looks to be a large gravel car park.

We stand for a couple of minutes in silence with all of the other men from the hallway now joining us, before blacked out SUV cars soon start pulling round the corner and into the area one by one.

"Chester... did you put the man and his family in one of the cars?" The sound of his dominating voice amongst the silence causes me to tense up under his grip.

"Yes sir." The man replies and before I know it I am next being shoved into the front seat of one of the empty vehicles.

The King closes the door behind me, as I yelp in surprise when the seat belt strap moves on its own accord and buckles me in.

What the hell?!

I watch as the King stops to converse with another two men in front of the car, looking surprisingly more relaxed than before as he somewhat smiles and points to the car that I'm currently seated in.

I know that these men can't see me because of the tinted windows but I still felt awkward in the sense that they kept staring in and talking.

I took this as an opportunity to study the 'King', realising that I was right about his neck and hand tattoos. I kind of liked the tattoos despite the fact that they gave off the whole dangerous vibe. It was very rare to see anyone with this many tattoos back where I was from and even the ones I did see consisted of crappy writing or little poorly done drawings - never anything on his level.

I knew he couldn't see me right now so I enjoyed admiring them as he stood there talking to what seemed to be his friends...

I wonder how many tattoos he has under that hoodie?

I gasp at my own thoughts, having never felt anything remotely similar to the way I was feeling right now towards this man. I have never had the time to get to know any boys and even if I had wanted to... I don't think anybody would have been interested in me so I decided to save myself the embarrassment.

He was undoubtedly a handsome man though, with his short jet black hair, sharp jaw line and sculpted cheek bones but he looked terrifying nonetheless. He seemed to be bigger and stronger than every other man here too.

I'm sure everybody, both female and male, would envy his looks...

I watched as he soon wrapped up the conversation before he started walking back over to the car causing me to instantly become nervous again.

The door soon opened and he climbed into the drivers seat, studying me as he did so.

I watched as he clipped in his own seat belt all by himself and I couldn't help but wonder if I had imagined mine moving on it's own?

"You didn't imagine it." He states, as my mouth drops open in horror.

Here we go again with the mind reading... can everyone read my mind now or what is going on?

"I fastened your belt for you after I shut the door." He states smugly, starting the engine as I watch a few of the other cars pulling out ahead of us.

He fastened my belt after closing the door? Sorry what?

"I suppose we have a lot of shit to discuss on our journey home little human..." He states with a rev of the engine before we pull out and begin speeding away from wherever this place is.

Home? If only I knew.